Condoleezza Rice is misleading again. At the time of Operation Iraqi Freedom, she had compared the Iraqi democracy project to early America’s fits and starts. Basically, America was once Iraq. Iraq will get there. Moreover, she had no right to “overthrow Saddam,” which was as radical an act as one could commit against a sovereign country that had not attacked the US.

Going into Afghanistan to get Osama bin laden was a legitimate act. Bush had asked the Taliban to relinquish him; they refused. He invaded. Fine. Remaining in that hellhole for decades to bring democracy: that was illegitimate.